Improved automatic fire-extinguisher tor use on railroad cars



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H. C. STEWART AND R. T. BRADLEY, 0F CINCINNATI, OHIO.

Letters Peten-t No. 101,404, dated Mao-ch 29, 1870;v a'ntedafted March 5, 1870.

IMPROVED AUTOMATIC FIRE-EXTING'UISHIR TOR USE ON RAILROAD CARS, GLC,

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making'part'of lthe same.

To all whom it 'may concern Be it known thatwe, H. C. STEWART and R. T. BRADLEY, both of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Automatic Fire-Extinguisher; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe same, reference being vhad to the annexed drawing making a part of this specification.

The nature-of our invention relates to an automatic fire-extinguisher, to be used for extinguishing fire in stoves or furnaces on railroad cars, steamboats, ships, and for other like purposes, when the same may be overturned, or meet with other accidents which would be likely to cause the ire of the stove to communicate with and ignite the car or vessel.

It consists of a vessel made of such material as is suitable for holding carbonic-acid gas, and furnished with a suitable tube for the purpose of conducting the gastoand within the stove. This tube,nearits junction with the gas-holder, is provided with a valve or stop-cock so arranged that the same will open automatically by any unusual concussion, and thus permit the gas to escape through the tube to the stove.

In construction our invention is substantially as follows:

A is the gas-holder with attachments a a, by which it is permanently fastened to the caror vessel as near the stove as is safe and convenient.

B shows a sectional view of' the stop-cock, commu nicating with holder A.

The key b of the stop-cock is provided with the arm C, at the end of which -s a concave or cup c.

A spiral spring D is attached to the arm C and holder A, and spring D' attached to the cock B and arm C draw the said arm in an upward direction when not obstructed.

A ball, E, of sucient weight to overcome the power of springs D and D' rests in the cup c, and is connected to any permanent portion of the car by a chain or cord to prevent its being lost.

The stop-cock B is provided with a stop with which the key b comes in contact, thus retaining the arm C in the position shown in the drawing, whereby the springs are not affected by the rocking or jolting of the car.

The tube F communicates with the stove.

The end oi' the nipple f is formed into a screw, whereby it may be readily and permanently inserted in the stove or any opening leading to the same.

The operation of our invention becomes obvious the gas-holder A having been charged with carbonio-acid gas, the ball E is placed in the cup c, the weight of which overcomes the springs, and drawsthe arm to its 'lowest position, where the cock B is closed.

When the car or vessel comes in contact with any resisting object, or is overturned, the ballE is thrown out of the cup c, and the arm O is raised by the action of the springs D and D', turning the key b and allowing the gas in the holder to ow through the tube into the stove, or shouldit be broken, it will tind its way through the crevicesof the same.

Owing to the superior weight of carbonic-acid gas it falls-in the air, and should therefore, be introduced in such a part ot' the stove, or in several parts, as to insure its most direct contact with the lire.

We are aware that carbonio-acid gas has been used for the purpose of extinguishing res, and"this we do not claim, broadly but What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Carbonio-acid gas, discharged automatically into a stove or furnace by an unusual concussion, collision, or overturning of the car or vessel carrying the same, substantially as above described.

2. The gas-holder A, stop-cock B, arm C, springs D and D', ball E, and tube F, or their several equivalents, when-.constructed and operating in the manner and for the purpose set forth. y

H. G. STEWART. R. T. BRADLEY.

Witnesses:

C. A. Sco'r'r, T. VAN KANNEL. 

